England vs Tonga Rugby World Cup 2019 result: Manu Tuilagi double seals victory in misfiring display

Re-live the action from England’s opening Rugby World Cup victory as Eddie Jones’s side made a winning start to their Japan 2019 campaign

Rugby World Cup: England vs Tonga preview

Two tries by centre Manu Tuilagi helped England to a scrappy 35-3 bonus-point victory over a tough and resilient Tonga in their Rugby World Cup Pool C opener in Sapporo on Sunday.

Mindful the three-time world champions New Zealand had demolished Tonga 92-7 two weeks ago, Eddie Jones's side were keen to flex their muscles and send a message that they could match the tournament favourites with a similar performance. The Tongans, led by big-hitting loose forwards Sione Kalamafoni and Zane Kapeli, however, proved difficult to break down and it was only rampaging centre Tuilagi's tries that gave England an 18-3 advantage at half-time.

Hooker Jamie George and his replacement Luke Cowan-Dickie added second-half tries for the 2003 champions, who controlled territory and possession and had a smart tactical kicking game but could not finish off the numerous chances they created.

Please allow a moment for the blog to load

Key Points

• England 35-3 Tonga
• Manu Tuilagi scored England's first try of the World Cup
• Centre adds his second midway through the first half
• Jamie George scores England's third from a driving maul
• Luke Cowan-Dickie try seals victory late on

[22 September 2019 13:04 · Jack de Menezes]

73 mins: This game really is shuddering to a conclusion, and a number of fans have decided that they've seen enough and are flooding out - that could well be that they were here yesterday and got caught up in the long delays post-match.

However, England finally come to life when Watson goes on a mazy run from his own 22 to the Tongan 22, breaking tackle after tackle to delight those still here. He offloads to Tuilagi, and the ball is recycled and spread wide quickly Farrell throws it long to Joseph tho shows quick hands to get it to Slade, but the full-back tries a no-look pass to Daly and only succeeds in passing the ball into touch. The try line was at his mercy there, and that was just a bit rubbish from there pair.

[22 September 2019 13:05 · Jack de Menezes]

77 mins: TRY FOR ENGLAND!

[22 September 2019 13:06 · Jack de Menezes]

77 mins: Joseph breaks through the middle of the park and is one-on-one with Halaifonua, with some lazy defending in the line to blame. Joseph sticks the full-back before delivering a well-timed pass for Luke Cowan-Dickie to go over for the fourth try of the evening. Farrell converts. 35-3

[22 September 2019 13:09 · Jack de Menezes]

80 mins: The final gong sounds out to signal the end of the match, but Tonga have a scrum and the fans are urging them on to try and muster something special up to finish.

[22 September 2019 13:11 · Jack de Menezes]

80 mins: Back-to-back penalties for Tonga sees Morath find touch on the edge of the England 22. They've got a chance...

[22 September 2019 13:14 · Jack de Menezes]

80 mins: It all comes to nothing as the ball is knocked on, and that's it!

Full-time: England 35-3 Tonga